---
title: Configure whether topics are required in channel messages
---

import {TabItem, Tabs} from "@astrojs/starlight/components";

import FlattenedSteps from "../../components/FlattenedSteps.astro";
import NavigationSteps from "../../components/NavigationSteps.astro";
import AdminOnly from "../include/_AdminOnly.mdx";
import GeneralChatIntro from "../include/_GeneralChatIntro.mdx";
import SaveChanges from "../include/_SaveChanges.mdx";
import SelectChannelViewGeneralAdvanced from "../include/_SelectChannelViewGeneralAdvanced.mdx";

<GeneralChatIntro />

Administrators can configure the default for whether topics are required in
channel messages (i.e., whether it's possible to send messages to the “*general
chat*” topic).

The default configuration can be overridden for any channel. You can also
configure channels to [allow only the “*general chat*”
topic](/help/general-chat-channels).

## Set the default *general chat* topic configuration

<AdminOnly />

<FlattenedSteps>
  <NavigationSteps target="settings/organization-settings" />

  1. Under **Compose settings**, select the desired option from the **Default
     *general chat* topic configuration for channels** dropdown.

  <SaveChanges />
</FlattenedSteps>

## Configure permission to post to “*general chat*” in a specific channel

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="Desktop/Web">
    <FlattenedSteps>
      <NavigationSteps target="relative/channel/all" />

      1. Select a channel.

      <SelectChannelViewGeneralAdvanced />

      1. Under **Messaging permissions**, choose the desired option from the **Allow
         posting to the *general chat* topic?** dropdown.

      <SaveChanges />
    </FlattenedSteps>
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

## Related articles

* [Introduction to topics](/help/introduction-to-topics)
* [“*General chat*” topic](/help/general-chat-topic)
* [“*General chat*” channels](/help/general-chat-channels)
